St. Helena >> Recent rains and cooler temperatures across the region have lowered the threat of wildfires, allowing Cal Fire’s Sonoma Lake Napa Unit to transition to winter preparedness effective Monday, November 14 at 8 a.m. in Sonoma, Lake, Napa, Solano, Colusa, and Yolo Counties.
Drought conditions continue to have a hold on California. Cal Fire is maintaining staffing to meet the current threat, as well as strategically moving resources to areas that remain at a higher threat level. Cal Fire will also continue to monitor weather conditions closely and still has the ability to increase staffing should weather conditions change or if there is a need to support wildfires or other emergencies in other areas of the state.
As the region shifts towards a winter weather pattern, Sonoma Lake Napa Unit Chief Shana Jones encourages residents to remain mindful that one spark is all that is required to start a wildland fire. A leading cause of wildfires this time of year is from escaped landscape debris burning. “Most fires can be prevented,” stated Chief Jones.
In the Sonoma Lake Napa Unit, open burning may resume in the State Responsibility Area (SRA) lands governed by the Unit. Cal Fire will not require burning permits until approximately May 1, 2017. Before conducting an open burn contact your local air quality control district to secure an air quality permit and ensure it is a permissive burn day
During the cooler winter months, Cal Fire will be focusing efforts on the implementation of fire prevention and fuels treatment activities as guided by the State’s Strategic Fire Plan and localized Unit fire plans. These activities are aimed at reducing the impacts of large, damaging wildfires and improving overall forest health.
